1. 16 Global Climate Change CHAPTER Big Question: What are the causes and consequences of a warming Earth?

2. Rising Seas May Flood the Maldive Islands Sea levels are rising worldwide. Scientists link this to global climate change. Global climate change threatens the Maldives, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, with flooding, severe storms, erosion, and saltwater contamination. Sea levels are rising worldwide. Scientists link this to global climate change. Global climate change threatens the Maldives, a group of islands in the Indian Ocean, with flooding, severe storms, erosion, and saltwater contamination. Talk About It Why are rising sea levels a concern for all people, not just those who live on the Maldives Islands?

3. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Without greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to support life.

4. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Objectives Describe factors that affect how the Sun warms Earth. Discuss the role of wind patterns in determining climate. Explain how the oceans affect climate. Describe how climate is affected by topography, volcanoes, regional vegetation, and periodic changes in Earth’s orbit. Describe factors that affect how the Sun warms Earth. Discuss the role of wind patterns in determining climate. Explain how the oceans affect climate. Describe how climate is affected by topography, volcanoes, regional vegetation, and periodic changes in Earth’s orbit.

5. The Greenhouse Effect A natural process in which greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly back into the atmosphere Greenhouse gases do not trap energy that has been converted to heat at Earth’s surface. A natural process in which greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly back into the atmosphere Greenhouse gases do not trap energy that has been converted to heat at Earth’s surface. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Did You Know? Greenhouse gases absorb heat and release it slowly, while an actual greenhouse traps warm air inside a structure.

6. The Effect of Latitude Latitude is a measure of a place’s distance from the equator. In general, the greater the latitude, the cooler a location’s overall climate will be. The seasons are also caused by the changing angles at which sunlight strikes Earth. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

7. Wind Caused by convection currents resulting from rising warm air and falling cool air Transports moisture and heat Global wind patterns move warm air away from equator, toward poles. Cold air moves from poles toward equator. Winds pick up moisture and can carry it for long distances until it falls as precipitation. Caused by convection currents resulting from rising warm air and falling cool air Transports moisture and heat Global wind patterns move warm air away from equator, toward poles. Cold air moves from poles toward equator. Winds pick up moisture and can carry it for long distances until it falls as precipitation. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

8. The Oceans and Climate Ocean currents, which are caused by a combination of unequal heating of water and unequal salinity, affect climate by transporting heat. El Niño and La Niña are disruptions to normal climate patterns caused by variations in the typical interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. Ocean currents, which are caused by a combination of unequal heating of water and unequal salinity, affect climate by transporting heat. El Niño and La Niña are disruptions to normal climate patterns caused by variations in the typical interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Did You Know? The ocean absorbs a lot of carbon dioxide, causing a global cooling effect. The ocean can hold 50 times more CO 2 than is found in the atmosphere.

9. The Oceans and Climate Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

10. Other Factors That Affect Climate Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate Topography: Higher altitudes have cooler temperatures; mountain ranges affect rainfall patterns. Volcanoes: Gases and particles can temporarily block sunlight, causing air to cool. Vegetation: Plant life promotes cloud formation and absorbs carbon dioxide. Earth’s orbit: Changes in Earth’s orbit and the tilt of Earth’s axis affect the distribution of solar radiation. Did You Know? Ice ages are at least partially caused by changes in Earth’s orbit and axis. Mount St. Helens

11. Lesson 16.1 Our Dynamic Climate

12. Lesson 16.2 Climate Change According to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, 2009 tied for second warmest year on record, just behind 2005. The decade spanning 2000–2009 was the warmest on record.

13. Lesson 16.2 Climate Change Objectives Identify evidence of global warming. Explain three methods used to study climate change. State the probable cause of global climate change. Identify evidence of global warming. Explain three methods used to study climate change. State the probable cause of global climate change.

14. Evidence of a Warming Earth Lesson 16.2 Climate Change Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Rising global surface temperatures Changes in precipitation patterns Melting ice (glaciers, polar ice) Rising sea level Did You Know? Since 1986, the Larsen Ice Shelf near Antarctica has lost an area more than 3 times the size of Rhode Island. Both photos show Sperry Glacier in Montana’s Glacier National Park. Top: 1913: Bottom: 2008

15. Studying Climate Change Direct measurement is used to study today’s climate. Proxy indicators, such as patterns in tree rings, give clues about past climates. Models are used to make predictions about future climates. Direct measurement is used to study today’s climate. Proxy indicators, such as patterns in tree rings, give clues about past climates. Models are used to make predictions about future climates. Lesson 16.2 Climate Change Cross-section of a tree trunk

16. Finding the Cause of Climate Change Lesson 16.2 Climate Change According to studies, increases in greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change. The increase in greenhouse gases is mainly due to burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use. According to studies, increases in greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change. The increase in greenhouse gases is mainly due to burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use.

17. Finding the Cause of Climate Change Lesson 16.2 Climate Change

19. Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change In 2003, a severe heat wave in Europe killed 35,000 people.

20. Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Objectives State ways in which the warming atmosphere affects ecosystems and organisms. Explain how climate change is affecting people now. Predict future effects of climate change on people. State ways in which the warming atmosphere affects ecosystems and organisms. Explain how climate change is affecting people now. Predict future effects of climate change on people.

21. Effects on Organisms Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Habitats shift, usually toward the poles or to higher altitudes. Migrations start earlier in the spring. Loss of ice makes hunting seals difficult for polar bears. Did You Know? Robins arrive on a Colorado mountaintop about 2 weeks earlier than they did in 1970. Migrating sandhill cranes

22. Effects of a Changing Ocean An increase in ocean temperature is associated with a process called coral bleaching, in which algae living within corals die. Without the algae, coral cannot survive. Changes in ocean acidity, resulting from an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide, can harm organisms. An increase in ocean temperature is associated with a process called coral bleaching, in which algae living within corals die. Without the algae, coral cannot survive. Changes in ocean acidity, resulting from an increase in dissolved carbon dioxide, can harm organisms. Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change The color of healthy brain coral comes from algae. When the algae die, coral bleaching occurs.

23. Current Effects of Global Climate Change Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Agriculture and forestry: Effects are complex. Can be positive: Lengthened growing season for some crops Can be negative: Droughts and forest fires Economy: Decreased yields; increased property damage due to severe storms and climate conditions Human health: Extreme heat waves increasingly common, can cause heat stroke and death Agriculture and forestry: Effects are complex. Can be positive: Lengthened growing season for some crops Can be negative: Droughts and forest fires Economy: Decreased yields; increased property damage due to severe storms and climate conditions Human health: Extreme heat waves increasingly common, can cause heat stroke and death Damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, in 2005

24. Future Effects of Climate Change Diseases: Warmer temperatures can promote spread of diseases transmitted from animals to people. Sea level: Low-lying populated coastal areas may flood as sea levels rise. Water supply: Saltwater contamination of aquifers resulting from rising sea levels and a decrease in glacial ice may threaten freshwater supplies. Diseases: Warmer temperatures can promote spread of diseases transmitted from animals to people. Sea level: Low-lying populated coastal areas may flood as sea levels rise. Water supply: Saltwater contamination of aquifers resulting from rising sea levels and a decrease in glacial ice may threaten freshwater supplies. Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change Did You Know? In the United States, 53% of the population lives in coastal areas. Black-legged ticks, known to spread Lyme disease

25. Current & Future Effects of Climate Change Lesson 16.3 Effects of Climate Change

27. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Fossil fuel combustion generates 70% of the electricity used in the United States. Energy conserving light bulbs

28. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Objectives List ways to reduce greenhouse gases related to the use and generation of electricity. Describe some of the ways of reducing greenhouse gases related to transportation. Describe other strategies for reducing greenhouse gases. Explain how nations are working together to try to address climate change. List ways to reduce greenhouse gases related to the use and generation of electricity. Describe some of the ways of reducing greenhouse gases related to transportation. Describe other strategies for reducing greenhouse gases. Explain how nations are working together to try to address climate change.

29. Use and Production of Electricity Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide for which an individual or group is responsible Most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Reducing electricity use reduces carbon footprints. Ways to reduce electricity use: Use energy-efficient technologies, which lessen the electricity needed to do a job. Reduce the use of electrical devices and appliances. Carbon footprint: The amount of carbon dioxide for which an individual or group is responsible Most electricity is generated by burning fossil fuels. Reducing electricity use reduces carbon footprints. Ways to reduce electricity use: Use energy-efficient technologies, which lessen the electricity needed to do a job. Reduce the use of electrical devices and appliances. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change

30. Alternate Sources of Electricity Alternative Sources of Electricity Nuclear power Solar power Wind power Hydroelectric power Geothermal power Alternative Sources of Electricity Nuclear power Solar power Wind power Hydroelectric power Geothermal power Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Wind turbines

31. Transportation is the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, second only to electricity. Advances in Vehicle Technology Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Energy Loss in a Car Alternatives to fuel-only cars include: Gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles Vehicles that use alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas Vehicles that use hydrogen fuel cells.

32. Reducing Dependence on Cars Biking, walking, and using public transportation are all ways to reduce fossil fuel use. Many communities lack good public transportation. Biking, walking, and using public transportation are all ways to reduce fossil fuel use. Many communities lack good public transportation. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change Did You Know? The average American family makes 10 trips by car each day.

33. Strategies for Reducing Greenhouse Gases Agriculture / forestry: Reduce soil erosion and replace cut trees, to curb CO 2 emissions Cap-and-Trade: System of emission allowances that can be sold or traded, gives companies incentive to reduce emissions Carbon tax: A tax per unit on emissions Carbon offsets: Instead of directly reducing emissions, companies can make a voluntary payment to a group that reduces or curbs greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestration: Technology is used to trap and store carbon dioxide emissions. Agriculture / forestry: Reduce soil erosion and replace cut trees, to curb CO 2 emissions Cap-and-Trade: System of emission allowances that can be sold or traded, gives companies incentive to reduce emissions Carbon tax: A tax per unit on emissions Carbon offsets: Instead of directly reducing emissions, companies can make a voluntary payment to a group that reduces or curbs greenhouse gases. Carbon sequestration: Technology is used to trap and store carbon dioxide emissions. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change

34. Cooperation Among Nations The Kyoto Protocol is a binding international effort to reduce greenhouse gases to below 1990 levels. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol. Many nations are planning to develop a new binding agreement to address global climate change some time in the future. The Kyoto Protocol is a binding international effort to reduce greenhouse gases to below 1990 levels. The United States did not sign the Kyoto Protocol. Many nations are planning to develop a new binding agreement to address global climate change some time in the future. Lesson 16.4 Responding to Climate Change